Do you think you are alone to have a crawl space in your house? No, you aren’t. In the United States, over 50% of homes have a crawl space for storage or to provide access to plumbing and electrical lines.
When you give a thought about the crawl space in your home, do you worry about what’s going on down there? Is it adequately ventilated to keep moisture levels down and help eliminate mold problems?
Unfortunately, these spaces can also be breeding grounds for mold and bacteria that could cause health problems if left unchecked by house foundation repair. Here, we have the information guide you need about maintaining your crawl space properly to stay clean and fresh!
What is a crawl space ventilator, and what does it do?
A crawl space ventilator (also known as a crawl space ventilation fan) is a device used to provide ventilation in the area under the foundation of homes. If this area is not well ventilated, gases like methane, organic compounds, and hydrogen sulfide could accumulate in the air.
The presence of these gases can cause occupants to feel sick and possibly even pass out. Crawl space ventilation fans prevent this by pulling fresh air into the crawlspace to replace the methane and other harmful gases with clean air.
How do crawl space ventilation work and the material used in it?
Crawl space ventilation works by pulling fresh air from outside of the home and pushing the methane gas out. Three things need to happen for this to work.
- Fresh air needs to be able to enter from outside through a mesh or grated vent cover. This is necessary for replacement ventilation. If you’re going for pressurized ventilation, the pressure of the air entering the next should be higher than that in the crawl space.
- The air inside the crawl space encapsulation needs to be vented out through an opening near the top of your wall, along with a weather-resistant cap. If this is not done, then harmful methane gas will accumulate and make people sick.
- A crawl space fan should be used to provide ventilation. If it’s not done, the pressure will equalize, and no air exchange will happen. If your roof pitch is higher, it is less likely that you’ll need a fan. In order for your fan to work properly, it must be strong enough to push out the methane gas inside your crawl space. If it is not, then you’ll have to use a fan with a higher capacity.
You can use several materials for crawl space vents: metal, rubber, or plastic. However, if your crawl space is not vented correctly, you might end up with wood rot and infestation of rodents and other pests
The benefits of installing an outdoor crawl space ventilator
A crawl space ventilator provides many benefits. Some of these are:
- Better Indoor Air Quality (IAQ):
Methane gas, organic compounds, and hydrogen sulfide are removed from the air and give you fresh air that your family breathes every day. This makes everyone feel much happier and healthier. - Keep out Rodents:
Rodents like to make their homes in crawl spaces. If these are not properly vented, then they could do a lot of damage. Crawl space ventilation fans provide a good way to keep them out and prevent harm from being done to your home. - Prevents Wood Decay:
You are at risk of having your wood turn into sawdust due to moisture, so if it’s not ventilated, get your crawl space repair now by foundation repair at Knoxville. Wood that is exposed to these conditions for too long can rot and be damaged by mold and fungus.
If you have a crawl space encapsulation that is not correctly ventilated, it would be good to look into crawl space ventilation timely by house foundation repair. This is necessary if you want to keep away rodents, save your wood and make sure that the breath in your home stays clean.
Certain things you need to keep in mind while installing your crawl space fans
- Make sure that your vent cover for the crawl space is secured. If it does not have a mesh or grated surface, then this could cause injury to someone who falls into it.
- Use caution when you are installing wires and electrical equipment in the crawlspace. This may involve poisonous gases such as methane, so never take any risks.
- Make sure that all the wiring in your home is run through a metal conduit, not plastic or PVC piping. Again, if you aren’t sure how to do this, then it would be best to hire a professional to do it for you.
Should crawl space vents be open or shut down?
Crawl space vents should be left open unless you are using the crawl space as a living space. This will provide better ventilation for your home. If you use it as a living space, you can close these vents if there is no moisture or humidity in the air.
How to shut foundation vents in the winter?
If you are using your crawl space as living space, then you will need to close off the vents in the winter. An easy way you can do this is by putting a piece of wood over the opening or covering it with other materials that can be recessed into the vent opening. Make sure that this does not restrict airflow into the crawl space. Also, make sure to put some kind of insulation over it because this will help keep out cold air.
Wrapping up
Crawl space ventilation is a must for any home with an unfinished basement. Properly ventilating the crawlspace reduces moisture and humidity, which can lead to mold growth that causes serious health hazards in your family’s breathing environment. Also, installing the right type of ventilator will make sure you have fresh air circulating through your house foundation repair all year round! So hire us today, and we’ll help you decide what’s best for your needs!
